Two Stewart-Cousins/Shimsky Traffic Safety Bills Enacted Today by Governor Hochul
Westchester County, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two bills sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky to permit the use of red light cameras for the first time in the Town of Greenburgh and to permanently extend Dobbs Ferry’s downtown parking permit system. The signing event, held this morning at the Governor’s Manhattan office, included a slate of legislation to expand red light cameras and promote road safety throughout New York State.1
The first bill will allow for the operation of two red light cameras at historically hazardous intersections on East Hartsdale Avenue, in Hartsdale, and Old Army Road, in Edgemont (A.8960B/S.9305). The bill took on additional urgency following the pedestrian death of Stephanie Kavourias, retired Executive Director of the Hartsdale Parking Authority, on East Hartsdale Avenue in August 2023. The State approved the use of red light cameras in Westchester County in 2023, but this is the first approval for their use by the Town of Greenburgh.2 Red light running was the cause of 1,149 deaths and 107,000 injuries in the United States in 2022.3
The second bill will permanently extend the Village of Dobbs Ferry’s residential parking permit system, which was due to sunset on January 1, 2025 (A.10034/S.9122). The permit system was first enacted in 2015 (Chapter 329, Section 3), and has been successful in alleviating parking and congestion issues for Village residents living near the Dobbs Ferry Metro-North station and commuter lot.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Red light camera programs save lives by enhancing road safety and reducing traffic violations. They are being used more and more throughout the state. Greenburgh officials came to me with a clear need in the Town for the Ardsley and Old Army Road intersection in Edgemont, where red light incidents have occurred, and for the heavily populated East Hartsdale Avenue, where a car out of control killed Stephanie Kavourias, a leader in the community. I hope this action will protect pedestrians and promote responsible driving. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation into law and for her commitment to making our streets safer.”
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing these laws to improve local pedestrian and vehicle safety. In our suburbs, roads are becoming ever more crowded and dangerous, and for that reason our local governments need authorization from the State to try new ways to protect the public. The two bills that I sponsored in the Assembly, along with Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins on the Senate side, will allow the Town of Greenburgh to install red light cameras at two hazardous intersections on East Hartsdale Avenue and Old Army Road, and will permanently authorize a Dobbs Ferry parking permit system that has helped to minimize parking problems for residents living near the Village's train station. Road congestion and safety are persistent issues in our suburban downtowns, and these bills give our municipalities the tools they need to address them.”
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said, “I would like to thank Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and the Governor for their actions that will make Greenburgh a safer place for pedestrians and motorists. The red light cameras that have been approved on East Hartsdale Avenue and Old Army Road/Fort Hill Road will encourage motorists to be more careful and will reassure pedestrians that we’re doing everything possible to make our community pedestrian friendly. I believe that red light cameras will save lives.”
Dobbs Ferry Mayor Vincent Rossillo said, “The passage of the bill for Dobbs Ferry provides relief to neighborhood residents who were unduly burdened by the demand for parking by commuters to New York City. These residents live near the train station and their neighborhood has been inundated by commuters from other states and counties who preferred to park in Dobbs Ferry and take the train to NYC. This bill will reduce traffic, ease the wear and tear on the roads, and make life more bearable for neighborhood residents. The Village is grateful to Assemblymember Shimsky and Senator Stewart- Cousins for their assistance.”
As Home Rule legislation, these bills enable local governments to carry out their day-to-day operations pursuant to State law. Home Rule bills are introduced by members of the Legislature in support of resolutions passed by local governments. The authorizations they grant are limited to each municipality.
2 https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-takes-action-improve-traffic-safety-and-protect-new- yorkers#:~:text=This%20included%20signing%20legislation%20that,protect%20drivers%20across%20the%20state